GAME THREAD: NHL: OTTAWA (0-0) at TORONTO (0-0)

NHL: OTTAWA at TORONTO

<div class="pre">NHL OTTAWA 3
TORONTO 3 1:20 LEFT, 3RD PRD</div>

 

NHL: OTTAWA at TORONTO

<div class="pre">NHL END OF THE 3RD GOING INTO OT

1ST 2ND 3RD TOTAL
--- --- --- -----
OTTAWA 2 0 1 3
TORONTO 2 1 0 3 GOING INTO OT

GOAL SCORING:

1ST PRD: OTT - ANTOINE VERMETTE 1 (UNASSISTED) 7:23
TOR - NIK ANTROPOV 1 (JASON BLAKE, MATS SUNDIN) 10:39
TOR - NIK ANTROPOV 2 (MATS SUNDIN, ANDY WOZNIEWSKI) 13:59
OTT - DANIEL ALFREDSSON 1 (DANY HEATLEY, JASON SPEZZA) 14:39
2ND PRD: TOR - MATT STAJAN 1 (HAL GILL, ANDY WOZNIEWSKI) 15:44
3RD PRD: OTT - DANY HEATLEY 1 (ANDREJ MESZAROS, CHRIS PHILLIPS) 14:24

SHOTS ON GOAL: 1ST 2ND 3RD TOTAL
--- --- --- -----
OTT 10 7 11 28
TOR 12 11 4 27

GOALIES: OTT - MARTIN GERBER
TOR - ANDREW RAYCROFT</div>

 

NHL: OTTAWA at TORONTO

<div class="pre">------------------------------------
Ottawa 2 0 1 --3
Toronto 2 1 0 --3
------------------------------------

FIRST PERIOD -- Scoring: 1, Ottawa, Antoine Vermette 1 (Unassisted),
7:23. 2, Toronto, Nik Antropov 1 (Jason Blake, Mats Sundin), 10:39. 3,
Toronto, Nik Antropov 2 (Mats Sundin, Andy Wozniewski), 13:59. 4,
Ottawa, Daniel Alfredsson 1 (Dany Heatley, Jason Spezza), 14:39.
Penalties: A Meszaros, Ott (holding), 7:36; J Corvo, Ott (tripping),
15:28; W Redden, Ott (major fighting), 15:28; K Newbury, Tor (major
fighting), 15:28; N Antropov, Tor (hooking), :08.

SECOND PERIOD -- Scoring: 5, Toronto, Matt Stajan 1 (Hal Gill, Andy
Wozniewski), 15:44. Penalties: A Meszaros, Ott (boarding), 3:50; B
Mccabe, Tor (tripping), 7:20; M Sundin, Tor (slashing), 8:15; A
Volchenkov, Ott (hooking), 10:26; C Phillips, Ott (delay of game),
13:06; M Fisher, Ott (hooking), 16:42; W Redden, Ott (major fighting),
16:42; B Battaglia, Tor (major fighting), 16:42.

THIRD PERIOD -- Scoring: 6, Ottawa, Dany Heatley 1 (Andrej Meszaros,
Chris Phillips), 14:24. Penalties: N Antropov, Tor (tripping), 7:48;
A Meszaros, Ott (tripping), 11:00.

Shots on goal:
---------------------------------------
Ottawa 10 7 11 --28
Toronto 12 11 4 --27
---------------------------------------

Goalies : Ottawa, Martin Gerber (27 shots, 24 saves). Toronto, Andrew
Raycroft (28 shots, 25 saves). Referees: Justin St. Pierre, Tim Peel.
Linesmen: Brian Mach, Greg Devorski.</div>

 

NHL: OTTAWA at TORONTO

<div class="pre">NHL OTTAWA 3
TORONTO 3 2:54 LEFT, OT</div>

 

NHL: OTTAWA at TORONTO

<div class="pre">NHL OTTAWA 4
TORONTO 3
OT: OTT - DANY HEATLEY 2 (MIKE FISHER) 2:57</div>

 

NHL: OTTAWA at TORONTO

<div class="pre">NHL FINAL IN OT 1ST 2ND 3RD OT TOTAL
--- --- --- --- -----
OTTAWA 2 0 1 1 4
TORONTO 2 1 0 0 3 FINAL IN OT

GOAL SCORING:

1ST PRD: OTT - ANTOINE VERMETTE 1 (UNASSISTED) 7:23
TOR - NIK ANTROPOV 1 (JASON BLAKE, MATS SUNDIN) 10:39
TOR - NIK ANTROPOV 2 (MATS SUNDIN, ANDY WOZNIEWSKI) 13:59
OTT - DANIEL ALFREDSSON 1 (DANY HEATLEY, JASON SPEZZA) 14:39
2ND PRD: TOR - MATT STAJAN 1 (HAL GILL, ANDY WOZNIEWSKI) 15:44
3RD PRD: OTT - DANY HEATLEY 1 (ANDREJ MESZAROS, CHRIS PHILLIPS) 14:24
OT: OTT - DANY HEATLEY 2 (MIKE FISHER) 2:57</div>

 

NHL: OTTAWA at TORONTO

<div class="pre">NHL FINAL IN OT 1ST 2ND 3RD OT TOTAL
--- --- --- --- -----
OTTAWA 2 0 1 1 4
TORONTO 2 1 0 0 3 FINAL IN OT

GOAL SCORING:

1ST PRD: OTT - ANTOINE VERMETTE 1 (UNASSISTED) 7:23
TOR - NIK ANTROPOV 1 (JASON BLAKE, MATS SUNDIN) 10:39
TOR - NIK ANTROPOV 2 (MATS SUNDIN, ANDY WOZNIEWSKI) 13:59
OTT - DANIEL ALFREDSSON 1 (DANY HEATLEY, JASON SPEZZA) 14:39
2ND PRD: TOR - MATT STAJAN 1 (HAL GILL, ANDY WOZNIEWSKI) 15:44
3RD PRD: OTT - DANY HEATLEY 1 (ANDREJ MESZAROS, CHRIS PHILLIPS) 14:24
OT: OTT - DANY HEATLEY 2 (MIKE FISHER) 2:57

POWER-PLAY CONVERSIONS: OTT - 0 OF 4, TOR - 0 OF 7.

SHOTS ON GOAL: 1ST 2ND 3RD OT TOTAL
--- --- --- --- -----
OTT 10 7 11 2 30
TOR 12 11 4 2 29

GOALIES: OTT - MARTIN GERBER
TOR - ANDREW RAYCROFT

OFFICIALS: REF - JUSTIN ST. PIERRE, TIM PEEL
LIN - BRIAN MACH, GREG DEVORSKI

ATT: 19,496</div>

 

NHL: OTTAWA at TORONTO

<div class="pre">------------------------------------------
Ottawa 2 0 1 1 --4
Toronto 2 1 0 0 --3
------------------------------------------

FIRST PERIOD -- Scoring: 1, Ottawa, Antoine Vermette 1 (Unassisted),
7:23. 2, Toronto, Nik Antropov 1 (Jason Blake, Mats Sundin),10:39. 3,
Toronto, Nik Antropov 2 (Mats Sundin, Andy Wozniewski),13:59. 4,
Ottawa, Daniel Alfredsson 1 (Dany Heatley, Jason Spezza),14:39.
Penalties: A Meszaros, Ott (holding), 7:36; J Corvo, Ott (tripping),
15:28; W Redden, Ott (major fighting), 15:28; K Newbury, Tor (major
fighting), 15:28; N Antropov, Tor (hooking), :08.

SECOND PERIOD -- Scoring: 5, Toronto, Matt Stajan 1 (Hal Gill, Andy
Wozniewski),15:44. Penalties: A Meszaros, Ott (boarding), 3:50; B
Mccabe, Tor (tripping), 7:20; M Sundin, Tor (slashing), 8:15; A
Volchenkov, Ott (hooking), 10:26; C Phillips, Ott (delay of game),
13:06; M Fisher, Ott (hooking), 16:42; W Redden, Ott (major fighting),
16:42; B Battaglia, Tor (major fighting), 16:42.

THIRD PERIOD -- Scoring: 6, Ottawa, Dany Heatley 1 (Andrej Meszaros,
Chris Phillips),14:24. Penalties: N Antropov, Tor (tripping), 7:48; A
Meszaros, Ott (tripping), 11:00.

OVERTIME -- Scoring: 7, Ottawa, Dany Heatley 2 (Mike Fisher), 2:57.


Shots on goal:
--------------------------------------------
Ottawa 10 7 11 2 --30
Toronto 12 11 4 2 --29
--------------------------------------------

Power-play Conversions: Ottawa - 0 of 4, Toronto - 0 of 7. Goalies :
Ottawa, Martin Gerber (29 shots, 26 saves; record: 1-0-0). Toronto,
Andrew Raycroft (30 shots, 26 saves; record: 0-1-1). A: 19,496.
Referees: Justin St. Pierre, Tim Peel. Linesmen: Brian Mach, Greg
Devorski.</div>

 

NHL: OTTAWA at TORONTO

<div class="pre">** CONFIRMED **
NHL
OTTAWA 4
TORONTO 3</div>

 

TORONTO (Ticker) -- Dany Heatley already is proving he is worththe money.


After signing a reported six-year, $45 million contract earlierin the day, Heatley tied the game late in the third period andnetted the winner in overtime as the Ottawa Senators edged theToronto Maple Leafs, 4-3, on Wednesday in the season opener forboth clubs.


With one year remaining on his current contract, Heatley hadbeen adamant on not negotiating a new deal during the season.The 26-year-old and the Senators took care of business Wednesdayafternoon, agreeing to terms on a contract that is expected topay Heatley an average of $7.5 million per season.

The 2002 Calder Trophy winner got back to business on the iceagainst the Maple Leafs, erasing a 3-2 deficit late in the thirdperiod before tallying at 2:51 of the extra session to give theSenators their third straight season-opening victory at the AirCanada Centre.


After dishing to Mike Fisher, Heatley received a return pass inthe slot and snapped a shot between the pads of goaltenderAndrew Raycroft with Chad Kilger draped all over him, improvingOttawa to 13-2-2 in its last 17 meetings with Toronto.

Antoine Vermette got an eventful opening period started at 7:23,carrying the puck down the slot and moving to the left ofdefenseman Tomas Kaberle before beating Raycroft to the gloveside with a quick wrist shot.


Toronto evened it up just over three minutes later as NikAntropov scored a fluke goal with 9:21 remaining in the session.Attempting to feed captain Mats Sundin from below the leftfaceoff circle, Antropov fired the puck into the crease, whereit caromed off the left skate of defenseman Chris Phillips andpast netminder Martin Gerber.


Antropov put the Maple Leafs ahead just 3:20 later, grabbing thepuck in the right circle and moving to the slot before wristingit by Gerber for a 2-1 edge.


The lead lasted a mere 40 seconds, however, as the Senators'high-powered No. 1 line struck for the equalizer.


Despite preseason rumors that the unit would be split up inorder to spread out the scoring, Heatley and Jason Spezza onceagain were teamed up with captain Daniel Alfredsson. Thedecision to keep the trio together early paid off whenAlfredsson received a pass from Heatley in the high slot andbeat Raycroft to the stick side with a wrister from the upperportion of the right circle at 14:39, forging a 2-2 tie.

Spezza also assisted on the tally.


Both teams had chances to snap the deadlock in the first half ofthe second period but failed. Chris Kelly was denied byRaycroft on a breakaway with 14 minutes remaining, while Gerberwatched the puck carom off the right goalpost after Sundin lostcontrol with 9 1/2 minutes to go.


Matt Stajan came through for Toronto at 15:43, picking up thepuck at the right point and moving to the top of the slot beforeblasting a shot that beat Gerber to the glove side. ButHeatley knotted the contest with 5:36 to go in the third,snapping the puck past Raycroft on the short side from the leftcircle.


Gerber made 26 saves for Ottawa, which went a perfect 7-0-0during the preseason.


Sundin and defenseman Andrew Wozniewski each recorded twoassists for the Maple Leafs, who won their final nine home gameslast season.

 

NHL: OTTAWA at TORONTO

<div class="pre">------------------------------------------
Ottawa 2 0 1 1 --4
Toronto 2 1 0 0 --3
------------------------------------------

FIRST PERIOD -- Scoring: 1, Ottawa, Antoine Vermette 1 (Unassisted),
7:23. 2, Toronto, Nik Antropov 1 (Jason Blake, Mats Sundin),10:39. 3,
Toronto, Nik Antropov 2 (Mats Sundin, Andy Wozniewski),13:59. 4,
Ottawa, Daniel Alfredsson 1 (Dany Heatley, Jason Spezza),14:39.
Penalties: N Antropov, Tor (hooking), 0:08; A Meszaros, Ott (holding),
7:36; J Corvo, Ott (tripping), 15:28; W Redden, Ott (major fighting),
15:28; K Newbury, Tor (major fighting), 15:28.

SECOND PERIOD -- Scoring: 5, Toronto, Matt Stajan 1 (Hal Gill, Andy
Wozniewski),15:44. Penalties: A Meszaros, Ott (boarding), 3:50; B
Mccabe, Tor (tripping), 7:20; M Sundin, Tor (slashing), 8:15; A
Volchenkov, Ott (hooking), 10:26; C Phillips, Ott (delay of game),
13:06; M Fisher, Ott (hooking), 16:42; W Redden, Ott (major fighting),
16:42; B Battaglia, Tor (major fighting), 16:42.

THIRD PERIOD -- Scoring: 6, Ottawa, Dany Heatley 1 (Andrej Meszaros,
Chris Phillips),14:24. Penalties: N Antropov, Tor (tripping), 7:48; A
Meszaros, Ott (tripping), 11:00.

OVERTIME -- Scoring: 7, Ottawa, Dany Heatley 2 (Mike Fisher), 2:57.


Shots on goal:
--------------------------------------------
Ottawa 10 7 12 1 --30
Toronto 12 11 4 2 --29
--------------------------------------------

Power-play Conversions: Ottawa - 0 of 4, Toronto - 0 of 7. Goalies :
Ottawa, Martin Gerber (29 shots, 26 saves; record: 1-0-0). Toronto,
Andrew Raycroft (30 shots, 26 saves; record: 0-1-1). A: 19,496.
Referees: Justin St. Pierre, Tim Peel. Linesmen: Brian Mach, Greg
Devorski.</div>

 

NHL: OTTAWA at TORONTO

<div class="pre">-----------------------------------------------
OTTAWA 2 0 1 1 --4
TORONTO 2 1 0 0 --3
-----------------------------------------------

FIRST PERIOD -- Scoring: 1, Ottawa, Antoine Vermette 1 (Unassisted),
7:23. 2, Toronto, Nik Antropov 1 (Jason Blake, Mats Sundin),10:39. 3,
Toronto, Nik Antropov 2 (Mats Sundin, Andy Wozniewski),13:59. 4,
Ottawa, Daniel Alfredsson 1 (Dany Heatley, Jason Spezza),14:39.
Penalties: N Antropov, Tor (hooking), 0:08; A Meszaros, Ott (holding),
7:36; J Corvo, Ott (tripping), 15:28; W Redden, Ott (major fighting),
15:28; K Newbury, Tor (major fighting), 15:28.

SECOND PERIOD -- Scoring: 5, Toronto, Matt Stajan 1 (Hal Gill, Andy
Wozniewski),15:44. Penalties: A Meszaros, Ott (boarding), 3:50; B
Mccabe, Tor (tripping), 7:20; M Sundin, Tor (slashing), 8:15; A
Volchenkov, Ott (hooking), 10:26; C Phillips, Ott (delay of game),
13:06; M Fisher, Ott (hooking), 16:42; W Redden, Ott (major fighting),
16:42; B Battaglia, Tor (major fighting), 16:42.

THIRD PERIOD -- Scoring: 6, Ottawa, Dany Heatley 1 (Andrej Meszaros,
Chris Phillips),14:24. Penalties: N Antropov, Tor (tripping), 7:48; A
Meszaros, Ott (tripping), 11:00.

OVERTIME -- Scoring: 7, Ottawa, Dany Heatley 2 (Mike Fisher), 2:57.


Shots on goal:
---------------------------------------------
OTTAWA 10 7 12 1 --30
TORONTO 12 11 4 2 --29
---------------------------------------------

Power-play Conversions: OTT - 0 of 4, TOR - 0 of 7. Goalies : Ottawa,
Martin Gerber (29 shots, 26 saves; record: 1-0-0). Toronto, Andrew
Raycroft (30 shots, 26 saves; record: 0-1-1). A: 19,496. Referees:
Justin St. Pierre, Tim Peel. Linesmen: Brian Mach, Greg Devorski.

INDIVIDUAL PLAYER STATISTICS

OTTAWA TORONTO
G A +/- Shots G A +/- Shots
S Donovan 0 0 even 0 A Steen 0 0 -1 2
D Alfredsson 1 0 -1 4 M Sundin 0 2 +2 2
M Fisher 0 1 +1 3 M Stajan 1 0 -1 1
A Meszaros 0 1 +1 0 T Kaberle 0 0 -2 1
D Heatley 2 1 even 4 D Tucker 0 0 -2 1
B McGrattan 0 0 even 0 C Kilger 0 0 -2 2
J Spezza 0 1 -1 3 J Pohl 0 0 -1 2
A Vermette 1 0 +1 3 B Devereaux 0 0 even 1
C Kelly 0 0 +1 4 A Ponikarovsky 0 0 -1 3
A Volchenkov 0 0 even 1 B McCabe 0 0 -1 5
C Neil 0 0 +1 0 H Gill 0 1 +2 0
J Hennessy 0 0 even 0 P Kubina 0 0 -2 0
C Phillips 0 1 +2 1 B Battaglia 0 0 even 0
P Eaves 0 0 even 1 K Newbury 0 0 even 0
C Schubert 0 0 -1 1 J Blake 0 1 +2 7
W Redden 0 0 -1 0 A Wozniewski 0 2 +2 0
J Corvo 0 0 +1 3 I White 0 0 -1 0
N Foligno 0 0 even 2 N Antropov 2 0 +2 2
L Richardson HEALTHY W Belak HEALTHY
D McAmmond CONCUSSION M Bell SUSPENDED NHL
R Emery WRIST INJURY</div>

 

NHL: OTTAWA at TORONTO

<div class="pre">** CONFIRMED **
NHL
OTTAWA 4
TORONTO 3</div>

 

TORONTO (Ticker) -- Dany Heatley already is proving he is worththe money.


After signing a reported six-year, $45 million contract earlierin the day, Heatley tied the game late in the third period andnetted the winner in overtime as the Ottawa Senators edged theToronto Maple Leafs, 4-3, on Wednesday in the season opener forboth clubs.


With one year remaining on his current contract, Heatley hadbeen adamant on not negotiating a new deal during the season.The 26-year-old and the Senators took care of business Wednesdayafternoon, agreeing to terms on a contract that is expected topay Heatley an average of $7.5 million per season.

"I wanted to stay here all along, so I'm happy that we got adeal done," Heatley said. "We had to agree on a contract, but Ididn't have a plan one way or another. I preferred to stayhere, and I'm happy I did."


The 2002 Calder Trophy winner got back to business on the iceagainst the Maple Leafs, erasing a 3-2 deficit late in the thirdperiod before tallying at 2:51 of the extra session to give theSenators their third straight season-opening victory at the AirCanada Centre.


"We stayed in the game as long as we could and we were confidentthat we could go into the final period and get the win,"Heatley said.


After dishing to Mike Fisher, Heatley received a return pass inthe slot and snapped a shot between the pads of goaltenderAndrew Raycroft with Chad Kilger draped all over him, improvingOttawa to 13-2-2 in its last 17 meetings with Toronto.

"I didn't see anything on that last goal," said Heatley, who iscoming off back-to-back 50-goal seasons. "I just tried to getit away as quick as I could, and it went in. Fisher made agreat play."


"When it's back and forth like that, it's anyone's game," saidRaycroft, who made 26 saves. "We are up and down like anybody.Tonight, we deserved to win and played well enough to win."

Antoine Vermette got an eventful opening period started at 7:23,carrying the puck down the slot and moving to the left ofdefenseman Tomas Kaberle before beating Raycroft to the gloveside with a quick wrist shot.


Toronto evened it up just over three minutes later as NikAntropov scored a fluke goal with 9:21 remaining in the session.Attempting to feed captain Mats Sundin from below the leftfaceoff circle, Antropov fired the puck into the crease, whereit caromed off the left skate of defenseman Chris Phillips andpast netminder Martin Gerber.


Antropov put the Maple Leafs ahead just 3:20 later, grabbing thepuck in the right circle and moving to the slot before wristingit by Gerber for a 2-1 edge.


"It was a nice start for me, but I would have rather had the twopoints," said Antropov, who was playing on a line with Sundinand newcomer Jason Blake. "It was our third game together, soour line is just trying to get used to each other and see oneanother out there. We'll see what happens."


The lead lasted a mere 40 seconds, however, as the Senators'high-powered No. 1 line struck for the equalizer.


Despite preseason rumors that the unit would be split up inorder to spread out the scoring, Heatley and Jason Spezza onceagain were teamed up with captain Daniel Alfredsson. Thedecision to keep the trio together early paid off whenAlfredsson received a pass from Heatley in the high slot andbeat Raycroft to the stick side with a wrister from the upperportion of the right circle at 14:39, forging a 2-2 tie.

"I'm very happy, extremely happy with the way we played thethird period," Alfredsson said of his line remaining together."We came up with a great effort there to get a chance to win thegame. I'm happy that Dany is staying in Ottawa for a longtime, and I'm sure the people of Ottawa are as well."

Spezza also assisted on the tally.


Both teams had chances to snap the deadlock in the first half ofthe second period but failed. Chris Kelly was denied byRaycroft on a breakaway with 14 minutes remaining, while Gerberwatched the puck carom off the right goalpost after Sundin lostcontrol with 9 1/2 minutes to go.


Matt Stajan came through for Toronto at 15:43, picking up thepuck at the right point and moving to the top of the slot beforeblasting a shot that beat Gerber to the glove side. ButHeatley knotted the contest with 5:36 to go in the third,snapping the puck past Raycroft on the short side from the leftcircle.


Starting in place of the injured Ray Emery, Gerber made 26 savesfor Ottawa, which went a perfect 7-0-0 during the preseason.

"It was big for us to get the tie and go to OT," Gerber said."Toronto played a really good game and made my life prettytough. To finish it off in OT was huge. It's great foreveryone to get a win on the road, and for me, it's great for myconfidence to start the season.


Sundin and defenseman Andrew Wozniewski each recorded twoassists for the Maple Leafs, who won their final nine home gameslast season.

 

TORONTO (Ticker) -- Dany Heatley already is proving he is worththe money.


After signing a reported six-year, $45 million contract earlierin the day, Heatley tied the game late in the third period andnetted the winner in overtime as the Ottawa Senators edged theToronto Maple Leafs, 4-3, on Wednesday in the season opener forboth clubs.


With one year remaining on his current contract, Heatley hadbeen adamant on not negotiating a new deal during the season.The 26-year-old and the Senators took care of business Wednesdayafternoon, agreeing to terms on a contract that is expected topay Heatley an average of $7.5 million per season.

"I wanted to stay here all along, so I'm happy that we got adeal done," Heatley said. "We had to agree on a contract, but Ididn't have a plan one way or another. I preferred to stayhere, and I'm happy I did."


The 2002 Calder Trophy winner got back to business on the iceagainst the Maple Leafs, erasing a 3-2 deficit late in the thirdperiod before tallying at 2:57 of the extra session to give theSenators their third straight season-opening victory at the AirCanada Centre.


"We stayed in the game as long as we could and we were confidentthat we could go into the final period and get the win,"Heatley said.


After dishing to Mike Fisher, Heatley received a return pass inthe slot and snapped a shot between the pads of goaltenderAndrew Raycroft with Chad Kilger draped all over him, improvingOttawa to 13-2-2 in its last 17 meetings with Toronto.

"I didn't see anything on that last goal," said Heatley, who iscoming off back-to-back 50-goal seasons. "I just tried to getit away as quick as I could, and it went in. Fisher made agreat play."


"When it's back and forth like that, it's anyone's game," saidRaycroft, who made 26 saves. "We are up and down like anybody.Tonight, we deserved to win and played well enough to win."

Antoine Vermette got an eventful opening period started at 7:23,carrying the puck down the slot and moving to the left ofdefenseman Tomas Kaberle before beating Raycroft to the gloveside with a quick wrist shot.


Toronto evened it up just over three minutes later as NikAntropov scored a fluke goal with 9:21 remaining in the session.Attempting to feed captain Mats Sundin from below the leftfaceoff circle, Antropov fired the puck into the crease, whereit caromed off the left skate of defenseman Chris Phillips andpast netminder Martin Gerber.


Antropov put the Maple Leafs ahead just 3:20 later, grabbing thepuck in the right circle and moving to the slot before wristingit by Gerber for a 2-1 edge.


"It was a nice start for me, but I would have rather had the twopoints," said Antropov, who was playing on a line with Sundinand newcomer Jason Blake. "It was our third game together, soour line is just trying to get used to each other and see oneanother out there. We'll see what happens."


The lead lasted a mere 40 seconds, however, as the Senators'high-powered No. 1 line struck for the equalizer.


Despite preseason rumors that the unit would be split up inorder to spread out the scoring, Heatley and Jason Spezza onceagain were teamed up with captain Daniel Alfredsson. Thedecision to keep the trio together early paid off whenAlfredsson received a pass from Heatley in the high slot andbeat Raycroft to the stick side with a wrister from the upperportion of the right circle at 14:39, forging a 2-2 tie.

"I'm very happy, extremely happy with the way we played thethird period," Alfredsson said of his line remaining together."We came up with a great effort there to get a chance to win thegame. I'm happy that Dany is staying in Ottawa for a longtime, and I'm sure the people of Ottawa are as well."

Spezza also assisted on the tally.


Both teams had chances to snap the deadlock in the first half ofthe second period but failed. Chris Kelly was denied byRaycroft on a breakaway with 14 minutes remaining, while Gerberwatched the puck carom off the right goalpost after Sundin lostcontrol with 9 1/2 minutes to go.


Matt Stajan came through for Toronto at 15:43, picking up thepuck at the right point and moving to the top of the slot beforeblasting a shot that beat Gerber to the glove side. ButHeatley knotted the contest with 5:36 to go in the third,snapping the puck past Raycroft on the short side from the leftcircle.


Starting in place of the injured Ray Emery, Gerber made 26 savesfor Ottawa, which went a perfect 7-0-0 during the preseason.

"It was big for us to get the tie and go to OT," Gerber said."Toronto played a really good game and made my life prettytough. To finish it off in OT was huge. It's great foreveryone to get a win on the road, and for me, it's great for myconfidence to start the season.


Sundin and defenseman Andrew Wozniewski each recorded twoassists for the Maple Leafs, who won their final nine home gameslast season.